Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Dura-Ace cassette replacement

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Dura-Ace cassette replacement

Old 01-20-22, 11:22 AM
  #1  
shopco43
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
Dura-Ace cassette replacement

2004 was the first year for the 7800 series and this is what I got on my Lemond “Tete de Course”. I am needing a 12-23 cassette and they are getting scarce ($$$$). I see offerings from Miche (Primato) but I am unfamiliar with the brand and wondering if anyone has a review.

I will spend the ≈$300 for new Dura-Ace if I have to but at this point I am looking for alternatives. They would need to be known to work with Shimano 10 speeds and be comparable to Dura-ace.

Last edited by shopco43; 01-20-22 at 01:28 PM.
shopco43 is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 11:44 AM
  #2  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,811

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times in 3,262 Posts
Why don't you just get any 10 speed Shimano road cassette? Or SRAM?

7800 is 10 speed isn't it?


Here is something in $$ range instead of the $$$ and $$$$ range.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=30262

Or are you not in the US?
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 01-20-22, 11:45 AM
  #3  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,768
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by shopco43
2004 was the first year for the 7800 series and this is what I got on my Lemond “Tete de Course”. I am needing a 12-23 cassette and they are getting scarce ($$$$). I see offerings from Miche (Primato) but I am unfamiliar with the brand and wondering if anyone has a review.

I will spend the ≈$300 for new Dura-Ace if I have to but at this point I am looking for alternatives. They would need to be known to work with Shimano 10 speeds and be equal to or better than Dura-ace in both operation and weight.
So, you want something that works as well as Dura Ace and is as light as Dura Ace. Your only option, then, is Dura Ace.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 01-20-22, 11:58 AM
  #4  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,461
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,316 Times in 2,701 Posts
Here's Ultegra. https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...4&category=534 You won't be able to tell the difference in the weight, shifting or the 12-23 vs12-25. Enjoy!
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 01-20-22, 12:18 PM
  #5  
nomadmax 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,409
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1103 Post(s)
Liked 1,824 Times in 878 Posts
If you want the real thing, be prepared to look where people who don't care what something costs buy stuff. Then be prepared to BOAH, "break out another hundred". As mentioned above, buy a Shimano or SRAM 10 speed cassette and call it good.
__________________
nomadmax is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 12:24 PM
  #6  
SoSmellyAir
Method to My Madness
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,546

Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1877 Post(s)
Liked 1,412 Times in 979 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Here's Ultegra. https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...4&category=534 You won't be able to tell the difference in the weight, shifting or the 12-23 vs12-25. Enjoy!
But, just in case, do retain and use the original Dura-Ace lock ring.
SoSmellyAir is offline  
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
Old 01-20-22, 12:32 PM
  #7  
HillRider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
But, just in case, do retain and use the original Dura-Ace lock ring.
+1. That way people who care about such things will read the lock ring and be fooled into thinking you still have a Dura Ace cassette. Meanwhile, you pocket the cost difference and never notice the slightest performance difference with the Ultegra or 105 cassette you really purchase.
HillRider is offline  
Likes For HillRider:
Old 01-20-22, 01:04 PM
  #8  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Tons of 10-speed Ultegra and 105 cassettes out there. Since cassettes are wear items, I rarely find it cost effective to get DA unless I find a huge discount.
caloso is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 01:06 PM
  #9  
shopco43
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by HillRider
+1. That way people who care about such things will read the lock ring and be fooled into thinking you still have a Dura Ace cassette. Meanwhile, you pocket the cost difference and never notice the slightest performance difference with the Ultegra or 105 cassette you really purchase.
I am a person who cares about such things.
shopco43 is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 01:19 PM
  #10  
WizardOfBoz
Generally bewildered
 
WizardOfBoz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,036

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 340 Times in 250 Posts
I was able to break a recent Dura Ace cassette. They'd used one too few rivets in the design. They sent back the updated (more durable, but a few grams more) under warranty. But I'd bought an Ultegra in the mean-time. I actually am more comfortable with my Ultegra - I suspect that it will take more of a beating. If I were racing (and fifty pounds lighter) I might go for the extra bucks and get dura ace. But for my riding Ultegra shifts just as well, seems more durable, and is cheaper. That said, the rest of the bike (Trek Domane 6.1) is Dura Ace. Great stuff. But for the freewheel...

I will also say that a brand new Ultegra R8000 groupset on my Lemond Zurich is a pretty slick setup. Would I have plunked down the extra for Dura Ace if I'd found a Maillot Jaune? Probably not, but again, the Ultegra is great.

Last edited by WizardOfBoz; 01-21-22 at 10:18 AM.
WizardOfBoz is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 01:32 PM
  #11  
Dave Mayer
Senior Member
 
Dave Mayer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,490
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 463 Times in 273 Posts
The only real upside of Dura-Ace cassettes is the weight reduction from the largest 3 or 4 titanium cogs that are connected together with an alu spider.

The rest of the steel cogs are essential the same as the ones found on cheaper, such as Tiagra cassettes. If you are like me, and wear out the smaller cogs first, I would just replace these, and mate them up with the Dura-Ace spider and big cogs. At my local bike Co-op, we have 100 pounds or so of such stuff, at a cost of $5 per cassette. I found a decent SRAM Red Powerdome and a nice Campagnolo Record 11-speed cassette in the bin yesterday.

BTW: be careful about buying used cassettes online. I've seen cheap cassettes mated with Dura-Ace and Ultegra lockrings, and fobbed off as being the real thing.
Dave Mayer is offline  
Likes For Dave Mayer:
Old 01-20-22, 02:12 PM
  #12  
nomadmax 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,409
Mentioned: 93 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1103 Post(s)
Liked 1,824 Times in 878 Posts
There's a few on ebay right now. Break that wallet out.
__________________
nomadmax is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 02:58 PM
  #13  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,461
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,316 Times in 2,701 Posts
Originally Posted by shopco43
I am a person who cares about such things.
Out of curiosity, what would those things be? Not weight since you ride a vintage bike that is not especially light. Plus, isn't current 8000 group lighter than 7800? Maybe function? Nooo, indistinguishable, 6700 or 7800. Must be looks. Put the 7800 lockring on the 6700 cassette and you'll be good to go.

Last edited by shelbyfv; 01-20-22 at 04:11 PM. Reason: sp
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 01-20-22, 03:04 PM
  #14  
HillRider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by Dave Mayer
BTW: be careful about buying used cassettes online. I've seen cheap cassettes mated with Dura-Ace and Ultegra lockrings, and fobbed off as being the real thing.
That was the point of my posting above. A Dura Ace lockring will make most riders think the whole thing is Dura Ace.
HillRider is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 03:27 PM
  #15  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,461
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3638 Post(s)
Liked 5,316 Times in 2,701 Posts
Originally Posted by shopco43
I see offerings from Miche (Primato) but I am unfamiliar with the brand and wondering if anyone has a review.
All joking aside, these are mid range at best and are heavier than even 105 in 10 speed.
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 01-20-22, 03:52 PM
  #16  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times in 801 Posts
Originally Posted by shopco43
I am a person who cares about such things.
Then pay the money. There is no actual real alternative to the real thing, if the real thing is really what you want. It's like somebody saying there is no cost cap on the new bike I am buying, then asking for ways to lower the cost.
delbiker1 is offline  
Likes For delbiker1:
Old 01-20-22, 04:15 PM
  #17  
tFUnK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3,652

Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 424 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times in 303 Posts
Recon makes a nice lightweight 10sp cassette.
tFUnK is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 05:10 PM
  #18  
Tusk
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 111

Bikes: 1986 Scwinn Prelude 20?? Motobecane Ti 'Le Champion"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 40 Posts
By both. A cheaper for most of your riding and the DA for when it matters.
Tusk is offline  
Likes For Tusk:
Old 01-20-22, 05:10 PM
  #19  
cxwrench
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
Originally Posted by tFUnK
Recon makes a nice lightweight 10sp cassette.
That won't shift nearly as well as a Shimano cassette. Anyone that insists on a D/A cassette instead of Ultegra or 105 is foolish.
cxwrench is offline  
Likes For cxwrench:
Old 01-20-22, 05:16 PM
  #20  
SoSmellyAir
Method to My Madness
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,546

Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1877 Post(s)
Liked 1,412 Times in 979 Posts
Originally Posted by cxwrench
That won't shift nearly as well as a Shimano cassette.
That is what I have heard too. And Shimano holds the most patents on gear shifting.

Originally Posted by cxwrench
Anyone that insists on a D/A cassette instead of Ultegra or 105 is foolish.
An 11 speed 12-28 cassette is only available in Dura-Ace; I would have bought multiple if available in Ultegra or 105.
SoSmellyAir is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 08:32 PM
  #21  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,768
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by Tusk
By both. A cheaper for most of your riding and the DA for when it matters.
Which would be never.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 01-20-22, 10:22 PM
  #22  
rm -rf
don't try this at home.
 
rm -rf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,918
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times in 343 Posts
Originally Posted by HillRider
That was the point of my posting above. A Dura Ace lockring will make most riders think the whole thing is Dura Ace.
except that the Dura Ace has two different metals:


I expect that it shifts exactly the same as Ultegra.

I do notice a better finish on my Ultegra cassette compared to 105. More for looks than shifting efficiency?
rm -rf is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 10:28 PM
  #23  
easyupbug 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,652

Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 560 Post(s)
Liked 546 Times in 396 Posts
$300, what is that, paying something like $4 per gram for similar performance from Ultegra.
easyupbug is offline  
Old 01-20-22, 11:08 PM
  #24  
easyupbug 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,652

Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 560 Post(s)
Liked 546 Times in 396 Posts
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
..An 11 speed 12-28 cassette is only available in Dura-Ace; I would have bought multiple if available in Ultegra or 105.
I can't tell the difference when going to 11-29 Campagnolo Chorus cassettee.
easyupbug is offline  
Old 01-21-22, 03:32 AM
  #25  
shopco43
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
I am sure that a more exotic bicycle could have been found in 2004 but the “Tete de Course” was certainly top drawer at the time. I have grown to love it even though it lacks the (soul?) of my ’83 Gios Torino. It is certainly easier to ride. The bike came with Dura-Ace, and I want to keep it at that level. It weighs less than 17 pounds, even with bullet-proof wheels and is a source of joy for me.



I have done little riding in the last decade and, having been totally out of the bicycle world even longer, it occurred to me that there could have been products I was unaware of. After reading all your answers I am more confident in my direction, so I appreciate the time taken.
shopco43 is offline  
Likes For shopco43:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.